Artesian Flow Testing of the Geothermal Production Wells Wen-1 and Wen-2, Honey Lake Hybrid Power Plant Project, California

Abstract

Two production geothermal wells have been drilled and tested for development and evaluation of the geothermal reservoir for the Honey Lake hybrid power plant project in northeastern California. Artesian flow has been used in a series of constant flow variable head tests to determine well performance and reservoir characteristics. The results from these tests indicate an extensive, water dominated reservoir with a moderate temperature of 250°F (121°C). The transmissivity value is within the range from 10,000 to 60,000 gpd/ft for wells WEN-2 and WEN-1, respectively. The specific capacity in both wells decreases substantially with an increase in the flow rate. Artesian flow testing conducted in both wells has provided information for the reservoir characterization and well performance evaluation. Results indicated a moderate temperature geothermal reservoir suitable for the proposed hybrid power plant project.